MILAN, March 20, 2026 – Seventy years of industrial history and technological innovation in the service of energy. CESI today celebrated its anniversary with the event “Powering What’s Next,” held at its headquarters on Via Rubattino 54 in Milan—bringing together institutions and industry leaders to reflect on the milestones that have shaped the evolution of the Italian and international power system, and to discuss the challenges the sector will face in the decades ahead.
Founded in 1956, during post-war reconstruction, as an applied research center supporting the country’s electrification, CESI has played a significant role in the development, safety, and modernization of Italy’s energy infrastructure. Over the decades, the Group has worked alongside operators and institutions in the development of power grids, the definition of technical standards, and the testing of advanced technologies—supporting the major transformations of the electricity system, from post-war demand growth to the transition toward increasingly decarbonized and interconnected systems.
Today, CESI is an international group operating in more than 70 countries, with capabilities ranging from engineering and strategic consulting to advanced testing of electrical components and infrastructure. The Group is also one of the world’s leading producers of high-efficiency solar cells for space applications, designed and manufactured in its Milan laboratories and used on civil satellites across numerous international programs. This broad portfolio reflects CESI’s founding mission: combining technological innovation with technical independence in support of energy system development.
“Seventy years ago, we were established to support Italy’s industrial growth. Today, we bring that same expertise to the global energy transition,” said CESI Chief Executive Officer Nicola Melchiotti. “Grid security, decarbonization, electrification, and infrastructure resilience are the defining challenges of our time. At CESI, we address these issues as an independent and authoritative partner to governments, operators, and investors, contributing to the development of the energy systems of the future.”
The event brought together key figures from Italy’s energy sector, including Minister for the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, and Chief Executive Officers Flavio Cattaneo (Enel), Giuseppina Di Foggia (Terna), Massimo Battaini (Prysmian), Nicola Monti (Edison), and Renato Mazzoncini (A2A). CESI Chairman Guido Bortoni and CEO Nicola Melchiotti were also in attendance. Discussions focused on the major trends reshaping the energy system, including decarbonization, security of supply, the development of electrical infrastructure, and technological innovation in a rapidly evolving geopolitical context.
“Celebrating our history means looking to the future with responsibility,” Melchiotti concluded. “Energy lies at the heart of modern economies and only changes the world when it works. Ensuring that it does is what CESI has been doing for seventy years.”
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